Latest enrollment numbers spike in Kentucky, open enrollment ends Jan. 31

Jan. 16--The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its latest enrollment figures last week, showing more than 70,000 people in Kentucky are signed up for insurance through the federal marketplace, a key part of the Affordable Care Act.

The report shows a broad cross-section of Kentuckians rely on the marketplace to access coverage. More than 99 percent of them are new, but state officials with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services are cautioning that most of them are former kynect users.

For the first time this year since the commonwealth adopted President Barack Obama's health care marketplace system, general consumers purchased insurance plans using the federal exchange, HealthCare.gov. Gov. Matt Bevin did away with Kentucky's state-based marketplace, kynect, in August, citing rising internal costs and duplicated services. Most, if not all, of the 67,596 new HHS customers, therefore, had experience under the former system, according to a cabinet spokesperson.

Almost half of the enrollees are rural Kentuckians, the report states, and most will qualify for advanced premium tax credits that lower their premiums by an average of $228 per month. Annually, that averages $2,736 in credits for 52,367 people.

HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell issued a statement last week urging more Kentuckians to take advantage of the system before time runs out.

"For Kentuckians who have not yet signed up, it's not too late," she said. "Open enrollment continues through Jan. 31. Most HealthCare.gov consumers can find a plan for less than $75 per month in premiums, and millions are finding plans that meet their and their families' needs."

Sunday marked the last day to sign up for insurance in order for benefits to go into effect by Feb. 1. Under the ACA, individuals can face tax penalties for not having health insurance at any point during the year.

The open-enrollment period, which allows consumers to choose plans that best meet their needs for the year, usually slows in the middle of January, Burwell said, but spikes once again before the deadline. Plan selection totals will also fluctuate over the remainder of the Open Enrollment as some consumers choose to cancel plans or they gain Medicare and Medicaid eligibility.

Republicans in Congress say they will dismantle the state exchanges, tax credits and insurance mandates under the ACA. The law hurts consumers, they say, and leaves small businesses at risk. Both chambers have considered or passed legislation that would give the GOP free-range at the chopping block, but no official replacement health insurance plan has yet been presented.

Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, [email protected], Twitter: @austinrramsey

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